Martinez · Renting & eviction
Renting in Martinez: the rules that apply
Martinez has no rent control or just-cause rule of its own; state law governs rent increases, eviction reasons and notice periods. The city adds anti-harassment and anti-retaliation rules, a move-in notice of tenant protections and relocation pay for condo conversions.
Key points
- Rent cap: State law caps rent increases on covered units at 8.8% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Just cause: State law lets a covered unit's owner end a tenancy after 12 months' lawful occupancy only for a just cause stated in the notice.
- Condo relocation: In Martinez condo conversions, tenants not buying and not in default get 3 months' fair market rent, or 4 months after 2 years' residence.
- Move-in notice: Martinez landlords must give a city form summarizing anti-harassment protections at the start of any tenancy.
- Retaliation: Under city rules, a landlord act within 180 days after a tenant used protected rights is presumed retaliatory, though this can be rebutted.
- Ending notice: State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.
Each rule below is marked Martinez code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
CA state law Martinez has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Rent cap right now: 8.8% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.8% inflation) (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)). California's statewide rent cap — the full state rule →
Eviction and just cause
CA state law Martinez has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Just cause required: After 12 months of lawful occupancy, the owner may terminate only for a just cause stated in the notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2(a)). Just-cause eviction in California — the full state rule →
Relocation payments
Martinez code In Martinez condo conversions, tenants not buying and not in default get 3 months' fair market rent, or 4 months after 2 years' residence.
All 7 Martinez rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Notices
Martinez code Martinez landlords must give a city form summarizing anti-harassment protections at the start of any tenancy. State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.
All 7 Martinez rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Security deposits
CA state law Martinez has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Security deposit cap: One month's rent, on top of the first month's rent (Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1), (c)(6)). Deposit return deadline: 21 calendar days after the tenant moves out, with an itemized statement of any deductions (Civ. Code § 1950.5(h)(1)). California security deposit law — the full state rule →
Retaliation
Martinez code Under city rules, a landlord act within 180 days after a tenant used protected rights is presumed retaliatory, though this can be rebutted.
All 4 Martinez rules on retaliation, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Harassment and lockouts
Martinez code Fail to perform and timely complete necessary repairs and maintenance; fail to follow applicable industry standards to minimize exposure to harmful building materials; fail to exercise due diligence in completing repairs; fail to timely comply with a City notice and order to correct a violation; or violate statutory habitability standards Abuse the right of access into residential real property, including unauthorized or unrelated inspections, entry outside normal business hours, entry contrary to a tenant's reasonable request, certain untimely purchaser-showing notices, misrepresenting access reasons, failing to provide a reasonable time window, failing to timely cancel scheduled entry, or making excessive entries
All 3 Martinez rules on harassment and lockouts, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Repairs and habitability
CA state law Martinez has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Duty to keep the unit habitable: The landlord must deliver a unit fit to live in and repair conditions that make it untenantable (Civ. Code § 1941). Repair and deduct: A tenant may make a repair the landlord neglects and deduct the cost from rent, up to one month's rent, no more than twice in any 12 months (Civ. Code § 1942(a)). Habitability and repair-and-deduct — the full state rule →
Landlord entry
CA state law Martinez has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Landlord entry notice: Reasonable written notice, presumed to be 24 hours, and entry only during normal business hours (Civ. Code § 1954(d)(1), (e)). Landlord entry notice in California — the full state rule →
Hotel and short-term rental tax
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Condo conversions
Martinez code One replacement rental unit for each converted unit, starting with the 11th unit. No replacement units are needed if current tenants buy at least 90% of the condo units.
All 15 Martinez rules on condo conversions, with the code text →
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Martinez?
State law caps rent increases on covered units at 8.8% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Does a landlord in Martinez need a reason to evict?
State law lets a covered unit's owner end a tenancy after 12 months' lawful occupancy only for a just cause stated in the notice.
How much can a Martinez landlord charge for a security deposit?
Martinez has no local rule on this that we found (checked October 2026); state law applies: One month's rent, on top of the first month's rent (Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1), (c)(6)).
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Martinez?
Martinez's code: 10% of the rent. (§ 3.28.030); The operator collects the tax from each guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 3.28.050).
General information, not legal advice.
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